Russian peacekeepers started withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh

After Azerbaijan successfully recaptured the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists last year, Russian peacekeepers began withdrawing from the territory.

About Nagorno-Karabakh Region:

1. Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh by Armenians, is a landlocked mountainous area in the South Caucasus.
2. It was claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia after the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, leading to ongoing tension.
3. The territory is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan but predominantly comprises ethnic Armenians with their own government, which has maintained close ties with neighboring Armenia.
4. Historically, Armenians, who are Christians, claim dominance in the region for centuries before the Common Era, while Azerbaijan, with a predominantly Muslim population, also ties its historical identity to the territory.

Historical Background:

1. Over the centuries, the enclave has been influenced by various empires, including the Persians, Turks, Russians, Ottomans, and Soviets.
2. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over the region. 
3. Armenia later agreed to Bolshevik control, leading to the Sovietization of the Caucasus region.
4. Nagorno-Karabakh, with adjusted borders to include more Armenians, remained part of the Azeri Soviet Socialist Republic as the "Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast" with autonomy.

The First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994):

1. As the Soviet Union weakened, the First Nagorno-Karabakh War erupted between Armenians and Azeris, resulting in Azerbaijan losing a significant portion of its territory, leaving Armenians in control of most of Karabakh and surrounding areas.

The 44-Day War in 2020:

1. In 2020, after years of skirmishes, Azerbaijan launched a military operation, beginning the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and swiftly broke through Armenian defenses.
2. Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, achieved a decisive victory, regaining control over parts of Karabakh.
   1. The region holds strategic importance, surrounded by Turkey, Iran, and Russia, and in proximity to the hydrocarbon deposits of the Caspian Sea.

FAQs:

Q1: Which countries border the Caspian Sea?

The Caspian Sea is bordered by Russia to the northwest, Kazakhstan to the northeast, Turkmenistan to the southeast, Iran to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southwest.

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